The rumors are going ga-ga over the development of the new Android application that Google is coming up with that will compete with iTunes, with a possible live stream component much like  Pandora.   However, Apple is quickly trying to activate their own cloud music.   You’re probably wondering what the heck cloud music is, right?

What is Cloud Music

Allows a song to be hosted on a third-party server and, therefore, instead of paying $1 per song, massive music libraries will be hosted somewhere else for example, Google or Apple’s servers.   This will allow users to not have to carry their music with them. People will be able to get their music from any device.

Cloud music, however, is based on the premise that eventually people will be connected wireless at all times.   Cloud music is also being referred to as a digital locker. Think of it working like all the pictures you post on Facebook.

What’s Google got to do with it?

Google has been rumored to have been working on this application since 2010 with a speculated launch date in late 2010.   Obviously that came and went.   Here’s the low down on this Google application.

Google has been testing its Android 3.0 application with employees and accidentally the app wound up on the Droid of a  TechFrom10 blogger.

The leaks showed that people would be able to download multiple songs right after another, something Apple has yet to be able to accomplish.   Some industry experts were suspecting a possible launch at the Google I/O Developer’s Conference but that didn’t happen.

Apple thrown into the ring:

Already the major player in digital music, Apple has begun its delve into cloud music as well.   No leaks or further information have come from Apple on this product other than it is considering charging an annual premium for the service. Apple has a huge upper hand in this arena because their, already large, consumer base.

Thumbs Up: Google’s focus on social integration will prove to be a major part int he development of this application.   While the leaked test did not include any social components, you bet that with Google CEO, Larry Page’s new mandate that 25% of employee bonuses will be measured on the  success of Google’s social strategy.

Thumbs Down: The biggest problem with both Google and Apple’s initiatives is that negotiations with record companies have yet to be resolved.   We all know how willing the music industry is willing to work with online music in general, let alone having all of their music hosted on a third-party server for all the world to enjoy.

What it means for marketers: I anticipate Google and Apple both charging a small annual premium for these services, however, a free option may be available with costs being supplemented by advertisers.   Since these applications are being developed for a variety of devices, pop up advertisements on mobile devices may also be down the road.

What it means for you: All the music you want in the playlists you want, whenever, and wherever you are.   The end to paying per song. Your system crashes? You still have your music.   Sweet album release while you’re at work? It won’t be on your hard drive.

via:  http://jenniferstarkey.com/

Dhawal D